The Washington critic., 1887-06-16
W WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON, JUNE 10, 1887.
A NEW CAVALRY GARRISON
Tho Oficsrs and Nien Selected for
Fort Myer Post,

Tho Oficers ana Men Selected for
Fort Myer Post.
The Genera-in. chief OF the army made
wonderfully good selections for the new
cavalry garrison at Fort Myer, on the
heights just across the Potomac.
Colonel Louis Henry Carpenter, major
Fifth Cavalry, is now about As years OF age,
and is the son OF the late DR.. Carpenter OF
Philadelphia, who was one OF the most dis
tinguished men In his profession in his day.
Colonel Carpenter abandoned college life
In 1861 without home consent and enlisted
as private in the then newly organized
Sixth U. s. Cavalry. He became cor
poral and then sergeant in his troop, but
before full year had passed he was pro.
noted to lieutenant. Just two years longer
made him a first lieutenant, and when
the enlargement Of the army fol-
lowed the end OF the war, he was
made a captain In the Tenth Cavalry and
reached his majority carly In 1888 by regu.
lar promotion. Meanwhile, during the
war, he had been earning rank and honors,
dashipg lot Of young officers that General
Phil. Sheridan gathered on his staff to do
the furious hard riding he demanded.
When the volunteer regiments OF colored
cavalry were organized In 1854, Carpenter
was named as one OF the lieutenant
colonels, and when General James 8. Bris-
bin was promoted next year to brigadier-
general, he became colonel Of the Fifth
Colored Cavalry. He had not been idle
with his sabre during the war, and was
brevetted to lieutenant-colonel for Gettys-
burg, Winchester and two other actions,
and then, In 1868, got his colonelcy for a
terrific fight with Indians In Kansas. He is
tall, rather well rounded 10 figure; is do
Captain Thomas N. McDougall, Seventh
Cavalry, who commands the "Gray Troop"
B, Of that famous hard-6ghting regiment,
is very well known here, where his father,
the late General McDougall, Of the army,
lived for many years after his retirement.
On that horrid day in June, 1876, when
with General Custer, Captain McDougall
received through Lieutenant Cook, the sd-
jutant, the last order Of the gallant Custer,
of which there is record. There was an
unhappy condition Of affairs then In that
regiment, and the officers were strongly
divided for and against General Custer;
but the writer, who knows whereof he
speaks, desires to give his testimony that
no braver or truer soldier ever drew sabre
In any cause. Captain McDougall did not
belong to the faction that loved his chief
and at the moment General Custer dIscoy-
cred the great camp OF hostiles, which he
firmly believed he could ride through and
crush, he sent his adjutaut back to turn
McDougall away with his troop and pack
train to Join either Reno or Benteon. That
saved McDougall's life and his troop, for
Custer undoubtedly believed that even with
fraction OF the Seventh he could ride
over any gang Of Indians that could be
found In any one camp.
Colonel Henry W. Lawton, who is captain
of Troop B, Fourth Cavalry, commanded
so much Of the attention last year OF the
American press and public that he needs
even less space to tell Of him. His untiring
chase over mountains and rocks a year ago
until he wearied and starved Geronimo and
Natchez into surrender that meant ex-
patrlation from home and lifelong impris-
onment with separation from their families,
would be useless tale to repeat here.
During the war he served tall through" )"
from April, 1861, until November, 1865,
rising by hard service from sergeant to
Northumberland, and, besides, was brevet.
ted to colonel for gallantry in action.